How to Install OsmoBTS

OsmoBTS is an open-source software package that allows you to build and deploy a complete GSM Base Transceiver Station.

In this blog post, we will show you how to get your OsmoBTS up and running in no time, so you can start using it right away. First, we will configure our machine and then install OsmoBTS.

Read on to learn the easy steps for setting up OsmoBTS on your system.

rfs@bts01:~$ uname -a

Basic Machine Config

Install some packages

root# apt install -y sudo git curl vim locate

Add user to Sudo Group

usermod -a -G sudo rfs

Define hostname

sudo hostnamectl set-hostname bts01.telecom.rfs

Add hostname to Hosts file

sudo vim /etc/hosts

Networking

Local services

Network Devices

sudo vim /etc/network/interfaces
auto ens33
iface ens33 inet static 
  address 10.20.20.21
  netmask 255.255.255.0
  gateway 10.20.20.1
  dns-nameservers 10.20.20.5
  dns-nameservers 8.8.8.8

Define DNS Server

sudo vim /etc/resolv.conf

nameserver 10.20.20.5
nameserver 8.8.4.4

sudo systemctl restart networking.service
sudo systemctl status networking.service
sudo systemctl daemon-reload

Configure GRUB

sudo vim /etc/default/grub
GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE=hidden
GRUB_TIMEOUT = 0

sudo update-grub

Install OsmoBTS

sudo apt-get install -y osmo-bts*

sudo systemctl start osmo-bts
sudo systemctl status osmo-bts
sudo systemctl enable osmo-bts

telnet localhost 4241

Troubleshoot OsmoBTS Service

journalctl -xeu osmo-bts.service
sudo systemctl status osmo-bts

OsmoBTS Parameters

rfs@bts01:/etc/osmocom$ /usr/bin/osmo-bts-trx -h
Some useful options:
  -h    --help                  this text
  -d    --debug MASK            Enable debugging (e.g. -d DRSL:DOML:DLAPDM)
  -D    --daemonize             For the process into a background daemon
  -c    --config-file           Specify the filename of the config file
  -s    --disable-color         Don't use colors in stderr log output
  -T    --timestamp             Prefix every log line with a timestamp
  -V    --version               Print version information and exit
  -e    --log-level             Set a global log-level

VTY reference generation:
        --vty-ref-mode MODE     VTY reference generation mode (e.g. 'expert').
        --vty-ref-xml           Generate the VTY reference XML output and exit.

Regression testing:
       --vty-test               VTY test mode. Do not connect to BSC, do not exit.

OsmoBTS Configuration file

cd /etc/osmocom

Install Virtual OsmoBTS

Install Virtual OsmoBTS Service

sudo apt-get install -y osmo-bts-virtual

Manage Virtual OsmoBTS Service

sudo systemctl start osmo-bts
sudo systemctl status osmo-bts
sudo systemctl enable osmo-bts

That's all it takes to install OsmoBTS on your system. With a few simple steps, you can have your own GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSPA cell network up and running.

Combined with the right SDR hardware, OsmoBTS can make operating a cell network a breeze.

References

https://osmocom.org/projects/osmobts/wiki

• OsmoBTS User Manual

• OsmoBTS Abis Protocol Manual